Den 21. mai 2025 holdt Tore Nærland (71), president for den norske organisasjonen Bike for Peace, et foredrag ved Beijings fremmedspråksuniversitet (BFSU). Temaet var fredsbygging gjennom sport – med sykling som både praksis og symbol på internasjonalt samarbeid og forståelse.

Nærland fremhevet hvordan sport kan fungere som en nøytral og samlende arena, uavhengig av ideologiske skillelinjer. – Sport knytter mennesker på tvers av kulturer sammen, uttalte han. Han utfordret samtidig det han beskrev som et snevert og politisert narrativ om Kina i vestlige medier, også i Norge – et narrativ som etter hans mening hemmer potensialet for dialog og samarbeid.

Med 59 besøk til Kina og nær tre års samlet opphold i landet, både i storbyer og rurale strøk, har Nærland deltatt i og organisert en rekke fredssykkelturer. Selv har han tidligere syklet fra Beijing til Bergen. Hans arbeid hviler på en grunntanke om at kontakt mellom mennesker – snarere enn mellom stater – kan bygge tillit på tvers av kulturelle og geopolitiske barrierer.

I forkant av foredraget møtte Nærland LIU Huoguang, partisekretær ved fakultetet for Europastudier, for å diskutere mulighetene for et sportslig samarbeidsprogram mellom Europa og BFSU. Han roste universitetets bredde innenfor språkfag og kalte det et «fredsuniversitet», med henvisning til dets rolle i global utdanning og interkulturell brobygging.

Etter møtet med studentene ved norskinstituttet understreket han viktigheten av gjensidig læring og kulturell utveksling. Han uttrykte glede over å se at kinesiske studenter investerer sin fremtid i Norge. – Dere er vår fremtid, sa han engasjert til forsamlingen.

Til tross for sterk synshemning holdt Nærland et levende og strukturert innlegg, med støtte fra sin ledsager Erik Salvesen. Han delte historier fra møter med statsledere, fredsprisvinnere, og idrettsprofiler – blant dem hans egen nabo, Erling Braut Haaland – samt med vanlige mennesker, inkludert kinesiske skolebarn på landsbygda.

– Kina er et fredselskende land. Kinesere er et fredselskende folk, sa Nærland avslutningsvis. Tydelig rørt av møtet, uttrykte han et håp om tettere samarbeid mellom Kina og Norge i fremtiden – og om en verden som velger fellesskap fremfor konflikt.

English：

Jointly Organized Sino-European Cycling Cultural Exchange Activity by School of European Languages and Cultures (SELC) and Physical Education Department

On the morning of May 21st, a Sino-European cultural exchange activity themed “Sino-European Cycling Cultural Exchange: Peaceful Journey from Beijing to Bergen” was held at our university, jointly organized by the School of European Languages and Cultures (SELC)and the Physical Education Department. This event, part of the Sino-European sports and cultural exchange series, aimed to promote cultural exchange and friendly relations between China and Europe through the sharing of cycling experiences. The event was hosted by Liu Houguang, the Party Secretary of the School of European Languages and Cultures (SELC), and attracted nearly 30 teachers and students from our university.

At the beginning of the event, Liu Houguang delivered a welcome speech, introducing the background of the activity and the guest speaker, Mr. Tore Nærland from Norway. He mentioned that Beijing Foreign Studies University, known as the “a cradle for diplomats, “has always been committed to promoting Sino-foreign cultural exchanges through language and cultural education. This cycling cultural exchange event was not only a deep interpretation of cycling culture but also a bridge connecting the sports spirit of China and Europe.

Subsequently, Professor Chi Xiaopeng, Deputy Director of the Physical Education Department, also gave a speech. He pointed out that sports, a universal language that transcends national boundaries, has always carried the mission of cultural exchange and mutual learning. From Nordic winter sports to Chinese Tai Chi, sports have been a means of cultural interaction. He emphasized that Beijing Foreign Studies University will use sports as a“global calling card”to cultivate talents with international vision and national sentiment. Starting with cycling culture, the university plans to create a regular platform through interdisciplinary integration and resource allocation, and continue to hold a series of themed activities such as winter sports, fencing, and football to inject new vitality into campus culture.

Mr. Tore Nærland, the founder and chairman of the “Bike for Peace” organization and a well-known Sinophile from Norway, shared his cycling experience from Beijing to Bergen in 1999 during the themed session. He detailed his journey through China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, highlighting the cultural exchange highlights in different countries and regions. With vivid language and rich pictures, he made the audience feel as if they were on a cycling trip across the Eurasian continent.

During the interactive session, the teachers and students actively asked questions and engaged in a lively discussion with Mr. Nærland on topics such as cycling experiences, cultural exchange, and peace advocacy. Chen Chaoqiuyu, a student majoring in Norwegian, said that through the exchange with Mr. Nærland, everyone not only learned about the hardships and joys of cycling but also realized the importance of language and cultural exchange. Mr. Nærland also shared the challenges he encountered during his cycling trip and how he overcame them, encouraging the audience to bravely pursue their dreams.

Subsequently, students majoring in Norwegian from the School of European Languages and Cultures(SELC)prepared wonderful performances for the guests. First, Li Changle gave a report on Chinese cycling enthusiasts in Norwegian, sharing the stories and experiences of Chinese cycling lovers. Then, Wang Shuyao led everyone in singing the Norwegian song “Solveig's Song”and the Norwegian version of the Beijing Winter Olympics theme song, showcasing the charm of the Norwegian language and the integration of Chinese and Norwegian cultures. In addition, all the students majoring in Norwegian from the School of European Languages and Cultures (SELC)introduced themselves in Norwegian, expressing their love for learning Norwegian and their expectations for Sino-Norwegian cultural exchange.

Mr. Tore Nærland highly praised the language proficiency of the Norwegian students from our university. He specifically mentioned that students Liao Zhiqi and Ji Tiantian, who served as translators for the event, demonstrated excellent proficiency in both Norwegian and English, providing strong support for the smooth progress of the event. He said that the students ‘fluent Norwegian expressions and deep understanding of Norwegian culture were impressive. He commended the students for not only mastering language skills but also promoting cultural exchange and understanding between China and Norway through language learning, highlighting the outstanding achievements of Beijing Foreign Studies University in language education.

Finally, Liu Houguang delivered the closing remarks, thanking Mr. Tore Nærland for his wonderful sharing and the interaction of the participating teachers and students. He encouraged everyone to actively participate in cultural exchange activities and contribute to the friendly relations between China and Norway. The event concluded successfully with a group photo of all participants.

This activity not only provided an opportunity for our university's teachers and students to learn about different cultures but also built a new platform for cultural exchange between China and Europe. Through the unique perspective of cycling, the friendship and cultural exchange between China and Europe were further deepened and enhanced.

(Supplied by: SELC og Physical Education Department; Written by: Li Jingjing, Benjamin Gråberg; Photography: Hou Zhehan, Wang Xiyi; Reviewed by: Liu Houguang, Chi Xiaopeng)